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Lamptron Fan Controller FC10

Posted by on Monday, July 23, 2012 - 3:51pm

Well, it looks as if Lamptron has upped themselves with their newest fan controller. The new model is the FC-10, which boast a killer "Vintage Valve Amplifier/Steam Punk" design according to Lamptron. Basically, a set of vacuum tube are designed to display the information the user is requesting from the unit.

Introduction to the Lamptron Fan Controller FC10

There is no denying that Lamptron is one of the leaders when it comes to front panel fan controllers. Over the years we have seen many case builds feature their controllers. The reason for this choice is due mostly to the high quality build and the beautiful looks.

Well, it looks as if Lamptron has upped themselves with their newest fan controller. The new model is the FC-10, which boast a killer "Vintage Valve Amplifier/Steam Punk" design according to Lamptron. Basically, a set of vacuum tube are designed to display the information the user is requesting from the unit.

Before we really get into the design of the unit we must begin with this. The FC-10 comes in two different favors. The first this the one we will be reviewing, which I would simply describe as the regular model and then there is a Special Edition model with comes with five different color face places. All other specifications are the same.

The FC10 comes built into an all-black metal casing which makes the unit sturdy and very durable. It is designed to fit directly into a 5.25" drive bay which many of us have plenty to share depending on your case.

Looking at the front of the device we see four Nixie tubes. Each of the tubes is designed to display one numeral at a time. Each display consists of wire, mesh and an inert gas to help give the actual display.

The unit is design to display voltage, temps and RPM over four different channels. The circle notches in the upper right tell you just what you are looking at when it comes to the display. And speaking of channels the unit supports up to 30 watts per.

Here is a shot of the rear of the controller. It takes a 4-pin Molex to power the unit. And according to the Lamptron a 400 watt power supply is recommended. Each channel is designed to support non-PWM fan across the multiple channels.

The image you are looking at below is of the circuit board for the wireless connection to the remote.

The Open/Close buttons are really On/Off power buttons. The "m" changes between voltage, temp and RPM. The arrows change between channels. And the +/- changes the voltage settings.

The "PT" in the upper left is the connection leads for the thermal probes that accompany the unit.

An assortment of sleeved fan leads and 4-pin power cables comes with the unit.

And a shot of the thermal probes.

Testing

The setting up of the FC10 is simple and straightforward. So, we won't get into it.

The one thing that needs to be noted is that once you turn the PC on or the FC10 on and off it gives a very audible beep and it does it ten times as the unit counts from 1 to 10.

The FC10 does have a built-in alarm that does work. We encountered it when we were playing with the voltage settings. Once we hit 7v and above that is when it comes on.

The display is pretty bright but beautiful.

Conclusion

It would be hard to find anyone that doesn't think the Lamptron is a work of art. The use of Nixie tubes was a great idea and the main reason for many buying this unit. The display is bright but very clear making it very easy to read. And it is great that you don't have to go reaching for your PC to play around with controls as you can do that from an upright position sitting at your desk using the remote control.

Functionally, it covers all the basic needs you need in a fan controller. It gives you temp, RPM and allows you to adjust the voltage for each individual channel.

The only feature that we see some having with the FC10 would be the beeping that takes place each and every time you turn on the PC.

Lamptron list the FC10 for $69.99 and that is just the price we seen it selling at Xoxide.